I've been looking for a decent MIDI controller to use with Traktor 3 that is not too expensive. I don't need anything too fancy, just something I can use to control Traktor 3 with basic functionality (cuing, eqing, loops) that's reliable, durable, and simple to use.

In my research, I came across this baby:



the Numark Total Control...which by just looking at it seems to be exactly what I'm looking for at a decent price (roughly $210 on Amazon).

I just wanted to know if any of you guys have used it and what has been your experience with it Also, how does it compare to the Vestax vci-100 apart from the build-in soundcard?

Thanks!

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Last edited by woscar on Nov-14-2008 at 06:11

Its Numark (not a good following to most of their products), I would go with the Vestex VCI-100. It is a bit more expensive , but atleast the faders are replaceable and it maps out well to T3.

Jay

I have used it, and for the price it is quite nice. It is not the most durable but you could probably drop it and it would be alright. It works well with the software it comes with, i haven't tried it with Traktor 3 yet though. Probably the simplest thing i have ever used. Not much else to say.

Edit: I haven't used the vestax, and i don't think i will probably after i can afford it will go the turntables and Traktor scratch pro route. But, for now this is a good solution for me.

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quote:

Originally posted by veezee Its Numark (not a good following to most of their products), I would go with the Vestex VCI-100. It is a bit more expensive , but atleast the faders are replaceable and it maps out well to T3. Jay

Thanks, I've been looking into the Vestax as well but it costs more than double than what the Numark costs...

I'm not that skilled yet, and want to use this mainly to finally get a feel of what it is to mix with actual gear (turning knobs, sliding faders, etc.) and learn do do it properly.

quote:

Originally posted by pwnage1 I have used it, and for the price it is quite nice. It is not the most durable but you could probably drop it and it would be alright. It works well with the software it comes with, i haven't tried it with Traktor 3 yet though. Probably the simplest thing i have ever used. Not much else to say. Edit: I haven't used the vestax, and i don't think i will probably after i can afford it will go the turntables and Traktor scratch pro route. But, for now this is a good solution for me.

Yeah, I'm pretty anal about all my things so I don't think the durability will be THAT much of an issue.

The more I read about the Vestax, the more I like it and feel inclined to go that route but it's just too damn expensive for what I'm gonna be using it for.

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I have it and I use it with the DJiO.

It works fine for me. Has all the button's you need. I use it with traktor DJ. Because it works well for the most part, I will list the things it does bad:

* Pitch faders are too small, and have too low a resolution. I find I have to constantly pitch bend to make it work. Smallest increments on the +/- 8 setting seems to be something like 0.12 %. You also do need the +/- 8 setting or it is impossible to beatmatch (meaning you will need the newest version of traktor). With Virtual DJ you can set it to +/- 6 and I would assume this would work better. The faders also seem to move themselves every now and then. I notice that sometimes I have the pitch on 1.1%, for example, and suddenly it will say 1.2% instead. It could be me nudging it though, but it is still a problem.

However, I don't have any trouble beatmatching with it anyway, my mixes are made using this setup (they're in my sig), and I don't use sync, I don't have BPM's set, and the beatmatching is def on par, but you can judge for yourself (don't forget to leave a comment if you do :P)


* Acctually, there is one more thing, but I forgot. :/ Will see if I can remember.


On the plusside, the unit is affordable, has a nice feel to it. The EQ-knobs are abit tacky if you really take notice, the up-faders and X-fader works great, and the FX-knobs are just sweet.

The jogwheel has a really nice rubbery feel, and they just have this perfect response-spin to them.

Bare in mind though, this is the only controller/mixer/deck I have ever laid my hands on, so I have nothing to compare it to. But these are my thoughts.

Also, the MIDI-map for Traktor that is on Numarks website is mapped wrong, which is funny in a very hilarious way.

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Thanks for the lenghty post PutBoy...that's exactly the sort of things I need to know before buying

While researching, I came across this new controller from Numark which DOES include a built-in sound card:

http://www.numark.com/omnicontrol

Plus, it look a hell of a lot more professional and sturdy. Anyone tried this one out?

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mind you, vci-100 does not have a built-in soundcard. vci-300 does.

i own the NTC and it's pretty good - plasticky and a little cramped, but for lugging around it's great. also, i mapped a lot of functions to it. the effects are kind of a pain to use though. the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well...

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Originally posted by whiskers mind you, vci-100 does not have a built-in soundcard. vci-300 does. i own the NTC and it's pretty good - plasticky and a little cramped, but for lugging around it's great. also, i mapped a lot of functions to it. the effects are kind of a pain to use though. the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well...

Oh, thanks for clarifying that

What do you mean by "the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well"?

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quote:

Originally posted by woscar99 Oh, thanks for clarifying that What do you mean by "the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well"?

the TC was sort of modeled after the T3 GUI (as well as numark's own software, cue), so buttons made sense kind of.

now, you've got your effects completely reworked and you have the 3 panels at the bottom where you can select grid/loop size/jump. basically, with the new GUI i'll have to get much more creative about mapping out the controls and perhaps it will be more difficult.

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quote:

Originally posted by whiskers the TC was sort of modeled after the T3 GUI (as well as numark's own software, cue), so buttons made sense kind of. now, you've got your effects completely reworked and you have the 3 panels at the bottom where you can select grid/loop size/jump. basically, with the new GUI i'll have to get much more creative about mapping out the controls and perhaps it will be more difficult.

Oh, I see...you mean the new 'Traktor Pro' right? I guess that'll be no big deal for me as I use Traktor 3.41 and don't plan to update to Pro just yet

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quote:

Originally posted by whiskers mind you, vci-100 does not have a built-in soundcard. vci-300 does. i own the NTC and it's pretty good - plasticky and a little cramped, but for lugging around it's great. also, i mapped a lot of functions to it. the effects are kind of a pain to use though. the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well...

While the VCI-300 does have a built in soundcard, it was designed for Serato Itch. The midi resolution is alot better and therefor would need a midi-translator to dumb down to a language Traktor could understand. Also, there are not enough buttons to map out to traktor to make it worth it.

Also, the VCI-300 is double the price of the VCI-100. From what I heard though, the VCI-300 has super awesome jog/pitch/fader control because of the high resolution. Can't wait to try it out.

Jay

So, would you guys recommend the Numark Total Control to begin?

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